Chappelle Administration Building facts for kids
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Chapelle Administration Building
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Chappelle Administration Building
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1530 Harden St., Columbia, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1922 |
| Architect | Lankford, John A. |
| Part of | Allen University (ID75001705) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001710 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
The Chappelle Administration Building is a very important building on the campus of Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. It was designed by John A. Lankford, who was known as a top African-American architect. The building is sometimes spelled "Chapelle." In 1976, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a special place in American history. Experts say it's one of Lankford's most important designs.
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Discover the Chappelle Administration Building
The Chappelle Administration Building is a key part of Allen University. It stands proudly at the northwest corner of the campus. This campus is located in Columbia, South Carolina. The building is a beautiful example of old architecture.
What Does the Chappelle Building Look Like?
The Chappelle Building is a three-and-a-half-story building. It is made from red brick with fancy stone details. The roof is made of slate. On top, there is a reproduction of its original cupola. A cupola is a small dome or tower on a roof. The first one was sadly hit by lightning in 1974. There are also five gabled dormers on the roof. These are windows that stick out from the roof.
The front of the building is very wide. It has fourteen sections, called bays. In the middle, there's a porch with three arches. This porch goes across six of the sections. A low fence, called a balustrade, sits on top of the porch. On the second floor, there's a special entrance with a triangular top. This leads to the upper part of the porch. The windows on the first two floors have decorative stones above them. These are called keystones. Between the second and third floors, you can see panels with designs like garlands.
Who Was John A. Lankford?
Allen University was started in 1870. Its campus in Columbia opened in 1880. The Chappelle Building was built between 1922 and 1925. It cost a lot of money back then, about $165,000. The building was designed by John A. Lankford (1874–1946). He was a very talented architect.
Lankford came from humble beginnings. He worked hard to earn degrees in mechanical engineering. He studied at the Tuskegee Institute. Even though his training was in drafting, he was often asked to design buildings. This happened while he worked at different universities. Many of these were schools mainly for African-American students. Because of his great skill, he became the main architect for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1908. The Chappelle Administration Building is one of his most important designs.
Why is This Building Special?
The Chappelle Administration Building is named after Bishop William D. Chappelle. He was the president of Allen University from 1898 to 1899. The building is still a very important part of the campus today. Its design and history make it a significant landmark. Being a National Historic Landmark means it's recognized for its special place in American history and architecture.
